Introduction

The Parliament of Samoa recognizes the importance of fair and factual reporting of Parliament proceedings. The rules set forth ensures that whilst Parliament facilitates media access and reporting of its proceedings, it ensures that the chamber as a working environment for Members and officials is maintained as well as the privacy of members and visitors to the Maota Fono are respected.

The below guidelines are issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. They apply to all media personnel who enter the Parliament. The guidelines set forth by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly are mandated by the Legislative Powers and Privileges Ordinance, 1960 and S.O 176 and 187(2).

Members Pre-Sitting

All media organizations are prohibited from attending the Member’s Pre-Sitting Briefing except for the approved media organization for outreach purposes.

Main Chamber/Media Gallery

• Members of the Media are allowed to be present at the Media Gallery for note-taking ONLY;
• Taking photographs either by camera, mobile phone or any other device is strictly prohibited except for the officials of Parliament;
• All camera still photos will be made available to the media at the conclusion of every sitting either by electronic transfer (usage of individual flash-drive) or download from the official ParliamentofSamoa Facebook page;
• Any other type of recording devices are prohibited in the Chamber;
• No leaning on or over the railings;
• Food and drinks are strictly prohibited;
• All journalists who wish to be present at the Media Gallery should be seated 10 minutes before Parliament sitting resumes;
• Movement in and out of the Parliament Chambers should be restricted to sitting breaks only;
• Due to limited seats available in the Media Gallery only ONE media representative from each organization is allowed inside at any one time unless space permits.

Film and Audio

• There shall be no filming in the Chamber when Parliament sits except for the official filming undertaken by Parliament officials;
• All media organizations may have access to Parliaments’ live feed by plugging into its system through portals provided outside of the Maota Fono.

Interviews Conducted in Parliament Precinct

During Parliament sitting

• Interviews of Members are to be conducted ONLY upon the Member’s approval;
• Where interviews have been approved by the Member, interviews immediately after the front entrance outside of the Maota Fono are permitted (ensuring that access to and from the building remains clear);
• All sides outside the Maota Fono are permitted for interviews except the designated areas in which Members have their meals.

When there is no Parliament sitting

• Member’s interviews conducted on Parliament precinct when there is no sitting are to be referred to the Speaker for his/her approval.

Broadcasting Service

Parliament’s I.T Unit provides a broadcast service for webcast which media representatives are welcome to use. The I.T Unit films in the Chambers and the feed is available for rebroadcast. The Parliament proceedings are televised live on the Digital Government Channel and also streamed live on the Parliament’s official Youtube page as well as audio live on 2AP.

Suspension

Any breach of the Parliamentary media guidelines will lead to the suspension of that media organization from Parliament sitting and/or events for a period determined by the Speaker.